In 2024, oil production in the United States reached 20.1 million barrels per day, the highest value within the period of consideration. The United States currently produces more oil than any other country in the world. Why has U.S. oil production increased? As U.S. oil production has more than doubled since the 2008 recession, imports of crude oil to the United States have decreased. An upsurge in foreign oil prices during the financial crisis, particularly from OPEC countries located mainly in the Middle East, motivated the U.S. energy industry to find ways to increase production domestically. Developments in extraction technology During the recession, investors took advantage of low-interest rates to develop costly oil extraction processes such as hydraulic fracturing. Also known as “fracking,” this extraction method made it possible to access shale oil deep underground that was once out of reach. Texas and New Mexico are major sites of shale reserves and have thus become the two largest oil-producing states in the country.

In 2023, oil production in the United States reached 19.4 million barrels per day, the highest value within the period of consideration. The United States currently produces more oil than any other country in the world. Why has U.S. oil production increased? As U.S. oil production has more than doubled since the 2008 recession, imports of crude oil to the United States have decreased. An upsurge in foreign oil prices during the financial crisis, particularly from OPEC countries located mainly in the Middle East, motivated the U.S. energy industry to find ways to increase production domestically. Developments in extraction technology During the recession, investors took advantage of low-interest rates to develop costly oil extraction processes such as hydraulic fracturing. Also known as “fracking,” this extraction method made it possible to access shale oil deep underground that was once out of reach. Texas and New Mexico are major sites of shale reserves and have thus become the two largest oil-producing states in the country.